No brand on the planet has a better perception than Disney. Since Walt Disney created Plane Crazy and Steamboat Willie, his company has strived to bring more good into the world. The Walt Disney Company has carried the torch for many years after the death of its founder, oftentimes exceeding his philanthropic contributions. Let’s highlight a few of the best examples of Disney philanthropy to make you feel good about the company that you love.
The war effort
Image: DisneyWorld War II was one of the grimmest times in the history of civilization. Walt Disney wanted to do his part to help the troops. Alas, his age was a problem yet again. Disney had been too young to enlist officially in World War I, instead joining the Red Cross as an ambulance driver (where one of the other drivers was Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s). By the time America was ready to participate in World War II, Uncle Walt was in his 40s and impractically suited for combat.
Government officials liaised with Disney about the best way to utilize his celebrity and influence. Ever the illustrator, Disney and his team freely gave of their time and abilities, crafting war films to support the Allied effort. Uncle Walt felt so strongly about the situation that the company devoted more than 90 percent of its resources toward the “production of training and propaganda films.”
Videos like The New Spirit and The Spirit of ‘43 informed Americans of how their efforts could impact the war. Uncle Sam appreciated the dutiful service, too. They deployed troops to protect the animated studio, making it the only Hollywood group to receive such protection. While you may dismiss Disney’s importance in the war effort, the American military and many war historians consider their service invaluable to the cause.
The UNICEF connection
Image: DisneyOne Disney seminal attraction exists primarily because of Disney’s philanthropic nature. When Joan Crawford contacted Uncle Walt on behalf of Pepsi’s board of directors, the animator was instantly inspired. He envisioned a little boat ride that would celebrate all of the cultures of the world. You know the attraction as It’s a Small World.
Do you know how much Disney earned for the attraction? Here’s some math for you. Each adult guest at the 1964 New York World’s Fair paid 95 cents for a ride; children paid 60 cents. And It’s a Small World was one of the five most popular rides at the entire fair, with some analysts speculating it was THE biggest seller. It sounds like a wildly profitable endeavor, right?
Image: DisneyDisney didn’t make a dime from ride sales. Instead, they donated the entirety of their profits to UNICEF. With more than 10 million guests visiting It’s a Small World in 1964 and 1965, we’re talking about the equivalent of at least $60 million in donations in modern dollars. And Disney didn’t stop there. During the 50th anniversary of the attraction, the company donated $150,000 plus $1 for every It’s a Small World video uploaded on a promotional website. More than 50 years after the fact, Disney’s still contributing mightily to one of their favorite charities.
Making wishes come true
Image: DisneyWhile UNICEF and Disney go way back, another organization is clearly the one that Disney supports most passionately. In 2015, the Make-A-Wish Foundation lauded the Mouse House for its 100,000th wish granted. According to the official site, Disney’s first Make-A-Wish occurred in 1981, and they perform 7,000 wishes annually.
Anyone who has ever been close to a child celebrating their wish at Disney understands just how special and priceless these moments are. The joy that Disney brings into the lives of these children is profound. And their support is critical to the success of Make-A-Wish. By their own calculations, the charity believes that Disney is responsible for half of all wishes granted. Make-A-Wish even made a special video celebrating the unique bond between the two entities.
Image: DisneyThe most famous recent example of Disney’s connection to Make-A-Wish is the #shareyourears social media campaign. Through this program, Disney donated $5 per person for anyone who uploaded a picture of them in Mouse Ears to a social media service. As long as Disney fans used the appropriate hashtag, the company made the donation. The stated limit for 2018 was $2 million, but the campaign proved so popular that Disney extended it to $3 million.
Disney takes the relationship so seriously that they built a special charitable arm in 1983. The Disney Worldwide Outreach Program addresses contributions big and small across the world. They have five core national partners, of which Make-A-Wish is arguably the most important. The others are Boys and Girls Clubs of America, First Book, Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation, and Toys for Tots. Speaking of which…
A lot of books
Image: DisneyHow many books would you estimate that you’ve read in your lifetime? How many do you think you could read if you had lots of free time? Well, I’m about to tell you a number that will make you feel a bit overwhelmed.
Since 2012, Disney’s connection with First Book has become a huge boon for the North American educational system. First Book seeks to provide resources to destitute parts of America and Canada, guaranteeing that even the poorest students still have access to books. The service even throws in some warm clothing, hygiene kits, and food, thereby assuring a higher quality of life to affected children.
Disney is all-in on this service. In only a handful of years, the company has already donated 61 million books to needy kids across North America! They’re averaging roughly 10 million donations per year, enough to give lots of deserving kids a fighting chance in life. It’s one of the best charitable programs in Disney’s arsenal right now, which is saying a lot since the company’s official website says: “Disney gave more than $348 million to nonprofit organizations helping kids, families, and communities in need.”
Disney cares about kids
Image: DisneyThe core business model of The Walt Disney Company is now and always has been entertaining children. Starting with Mickey Mouse cartoons and continuing through Disneyland and other kid-friendly products, Disney has earned its money through the laughter of children. It’s the crucial reason why the Disney brand is so popular.
The company loves to give back to children with its philanthropy. Save for the war effort, which was tangential, everything else listed here directly aids children. If you’re wondering about UNICEF, it actually stands for United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. So, yeah, Disney’s all about the kids.
One of their most recent charitable campaigns represents yet another way to bring happiness to the children who need it the most. CEO Robert Iger confirmed in March of 2018 that the company will donate $100 million in resources to children’s hospitals everywhere. Disney aspires to “transform the patient experience in children’s hospitals around the world – creating a personalized and engaging atmosphere that will inspire young patients and ease the stress of a hospital stay.”
Image: DisneySome of that is corporate speak. What Disney means is that they’re employing a new RFID system to let patients at children’s hospitals personalize their visits. Their favorite Disney characters will entertain them throughout the day, giving them the belief that someone is providing them company. Since hospitals are by nature places where people feel isolated, this special touch will lift the spirits of the patients.
Disney is doing more than personalizing the visits. They’re also opening up the Disney library, giving children’s hospitals access to first-run Disney movies (i.e. the ones still in theaters). Some hospitals will have pop-up movie theaters, places that will make kids feel like they’ve escaped their hospital rooms for a while. Disney is also creating in-room entertainment up and to and including new Disney games.
The first recipient of this new program is the largest children’s hospital in America, Texas Children’s Hospital, which is located in Houston. The hospital put together this video about Disney’s goal of transforming the hospital experience. Watching it will make you feel wonderful about your support of all things Disney.
